Schools out as big freeze hits

Temperatures as low as -8C (17F) brought problems with icy roads and forced schools to close in the Black Country as forecasters said more snow could be on the way.

A burst water main in Coseley left motorists facing skidpan conditions today and a car hit a garden wall after skidding on ice in Ashenhurst Road, Dudley yesterday.

Water gushed down the busy Summerhill Road after a main burst in the early hours. Cars had to plough through the water which had begun to freeze in places.

Residents in Yew Tree Lane were moping up after water flowed into their road and down their driveway.

Workers from Severn Trent were expected to turn off the supply during repair work later today.

David Hawell, aged 27, of Summerhill Road, said: "It made the road a sheet of ice.

"Cars were just dashing through throwing the water into the air. You wonder what might happen if they haven't got it all cleaned up by tonight."

Meanwhile pupils were today told to stay away from three Black Country schools because of problems with water and heating.

Westminster Special School in West Bromwich, was closed due to a water leak while Wodensborough Community Technology College in Wednesbury, had a breakdown in heating in some sections of the school.

Old Park Primary School in Old Park Road, Wednesbury, was also still closed today after the central heating system was wrecked in an earlier flood.

Wintry showers are expected to hit the region again tonight bringing rain, sleet and snow. Experts say the big freeze will last through most of January.